BANGKOK, Thailand – The government is preparing to reorganize government responsibilities for tourism and culture to improve coordination, reduce overlapping functions, and make greater economic use of the country’s cultural assets. Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul met Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun and Culture Minister Sabeeda Thaised at Government House last week to discuss the proposed restructuring.
Senior officials from both ministries and other relevant agencies also attended. Discussions covered ways to align tourism and cultural responsibilities under a clearer, more agile administrative structure while reducing duplication and improving government efficiency. The proposed changes would more closely link Thailand’s culture, heritage, and identity to tourism development, generating additional economic value and supporting the country’s competitiveness. They would also allow tourism and cultural policies to proceed in a more coordinated direction. Both ministries are now preparing for a possible transition involving responsibilities, personnel, budgets, laws and regulations, and administrative systems. (NNT)
